Do you guys make fuel tanks as well as fuel cells?

At this time no, we do not make tanks. While we have in the past and may in the future, at this time we do not offer aluminum fuel tanks without an internal resin bladder.

How long does it take to make a fuel cell?

The time spent in production of a fuel cell depends primarily on shape and hardware. While size is a factor, it's usually not a significant factor in production time. Things like tunnels, tubes, asymmetry of design, nipples, and complexity all add time to the production process and can take anywhere from a few extra hours to days to properly mimic, reduce, and produce. The typical fuel cell takes between 20-25 hours to produce, with some smaller or simpler designs taking less and more complex designs taking longer. Additionally, internal fuel systems or custom designed parts can increase the production time as parts may need to be shipped in or out to vendors for finish or customization. On standard design fuel cells, like our Box End or Sloped Bottom fuel cells the production time is between 2-10 days on parts not already in stock (customization of design or internal parts may increase this time). For a custom fuel cell production time is between 3-5 weeks depending on the design, quantity, parts list, and how extensive any customization of parts may be. While we maintain the largest inventory of plate sizes and designs, performance fuel pumps and filters, and vent/check valve sizes we too get delayed by vendors and ask that our customers be patient when placing a custom order.

How long do your fuel cells last?

The average fuel cell has a life expectancy of between 7-15 years. The overwhelming majority of our fuel cells last between 12-15 years of continuous use depending on fuel used, storage conditions, ventilation, heat and UV exposure, and fitment inside the can and vehicle. For customers in climates with high humidity we highly recommend storage in a cool and dry environment if possible, extra drain and vent holes in the can/bulkhead, and draining of the fuel before storage of the vehicle for more than 30 days. While these steps may seem excessive they will add years to the life of the fuel cell in highly humid environments.

What kind of maintenance should I do on the fuel cell?

All of our fuel cells come with a 7 year warranty and free maintenance throughout the warranty period at Harmon Racing Cells or an authorized representative. Maintenance usually includes new gaskets, bolts, washers, cleaning and inspection, and any slight repairs or adjustments that may need to be made to the fuel cell. Still, we build all our fuel cells to our strictest off-road specifications, meaning little to no maintenance is required during the life of the fuel cell. For customers running in dirty or off-road environments we recommend removing the fuel cell bladder from the can for periodic inspection and cleaning of the inside of the can; for track and road applications we recommend inspection of the fuel cell compartment to check for proper ventilation and removal of any excess spillage or fluids that may have built up during normal use. These tasks should be done every 6-12 months depending on use. The foam, fuel lines, vents, pickups, anti-spills, and other hardware are expected to last the life of the cell, so replacement is not recommended unless there is a noticeable problem with leakage or performance. Gaskets can be replaced in intervals of every 2 years but is not necessary unless it is damaged or the plate is being removed regularly for cleaning/inspection.

How long is the foam supposed to last?

The foam is made from a similar material as the resin bladder, so it should last the life of the fuel cell as the two deteriorate at approximately the same rate. If you are having problems with excess foam inside the filters first that it is a quality gasoline as some gasolines have additives that are harmful to the foam and the bladder. If the problem persists, return the cell to us for inspection or, if that is not possible, pull the fuel cell apart and inspect the foam for evidence of chafing. Chafing is the leading cause of foam breakdown and is caused by friction between the foam and an internal component (like a nutring or fill neck) or between two foam pieces not properly fitted/installed or that have shifted during normal use.

How often should I replace the fuel hose in my fuel cell?

Hands down one of the top two questions we get, this is a problem that has plagued our competition's customers for years. Simply put, you should neverhave to replace the fuel hose in a Harmon Racing Cell fuel cell. All the hose we use internally is designed for use with gasoline, so there is no need to replace as the hose will not deteriorate before the rest of the fuel cell. Because the line we use has a lower hardness rating than the fuel cell itself it may become necessary to replace the hose on occasion when normal use has caused the hose to rub against the bladder and through the hose core, causing a hole in the line.